The American Film Institute (AFI) announced the Official Selections of AFI Awards 2016, celebrating the year’s most outstanding achievements in the art of the moving image–with 10 films and 10 television programs deemed culturally and artistically significant.
In addition to the 20 honorees, AFI also recognizes O.J.: Made In America with an AFI Special Award.
An almanac documenting works of excellence, AFI AWARDS is the only national honor for the entertainment community’s creative teams as a whole, recognizing the collaborative nature of the art form. Honorees are selected based on works that advance the art of the moving image, enhance the rich cultural heritage of America’s art form, inspire audiences and artists alike and make a mark on American society.
“Year after year, we are reminded of the power of artists to bring us together as one,” said Bob Gazzale, AFI president and CEO. “AFI Awards is proud to recognize the achievements of the storytelling teams who have enlightened and informed us, guided and inspired us, and ultimately invited us to empathize with others in a reminder of our common humanity.”
AFI MOVIES OF THE YEAR
ARRIVAL
FENCES
HACKSAW RIDGE
HELL OR HIGH WATER
LA LA LAND
MANCHESTER BY THE SEA
MOONLIGHT
SILENCE
SULLY
ZOOTOPIA
AFI TV PROGRAMS OF THE YEAR
THE AMERICANS
ATLANTA
BETTER CALL SAUL
THE CROWN
GAME OF THRONES
THE NIGHT OF
THE PEOPLE V. O.J. SIMPSON: AMERICAN CRIME STORY
STRANGER THINGS
THIS IS US
VEEP
AFI SPECIAL AWARD
O.J.: MADE IN AMERICA
Marking the 17th chapter in the American Film Institute’s ongoing chronicle of the moving image in the 21st century, the 2016 entries join a notable pantheon of previous AFI honorees–works of significance that contribute to the rich cultural legacy and define the state of the art form.
AFI Awards selections are made through a jury process in which AFI Trustees, scholars, artists and critics determine the most outstanding achievements of the year and provide a contextual rationale for each selection.
This year’s juries–one for film and one for television–were chaired by producers and AFI Board of Trustees vice chairs Tom Pollock (former vice chairman of MCA, chairman of Universal Pictures) for film and Richard Frank (former chairman of Walt Disney Television, president of Walt Disney Studios, president of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences) for television. The juries featured award-winning artists such as Elizabeth Banks, Robert Benton, Diane English, Jon Hamm, Michelle King, Lori McCreary, Rachel Morrison (AFI Class of 2006) and Patricia Riggen; renowned authors and scholars representing prestigious universities with recognized motion picture arts and television programs; film historians Mark Harris and Leonard Maltin; the AFI Board of Trustees; and film and television critics from media outlets.
In a noncompetitive atmosphere, honorees will gather on January 6, 2017, for recognition at the annual AFI Awards private luncheon in Los Angeles, an event favored by the entertainment community for its informal intimacy and its inclusive acknowledgement of excellence.
